Yosef Gerson, a 29-year-old medical student in New York, has been found, the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol announced early Sunday morning, after being missing since early this week.
"Missing Yossi Gerson from Lawrence just found alive and well!" the RNSP announced on Facebook. "Please do not discuss any details or rumors out of respect for Yossi and his family."
"Thank you all for your outstanding work and assistance."
He was last seen on Monday morning, when he told his mother that he was going to meet with a homeless man he had come to know. Police have found and interviewed the homeless man, who said that he did meet up with Gerson, but that he also has not seen him since that evening.
The family says that Yossi, as he is called, had been acting strangely recently and they were worried that something may have happened to him.
Alan and Wendy Gerson have released a statement, reading:
"There isn’t much to say other than we are heartbroken. Our dear Yossi has vanished without a trace and we are asking and begging everyone everywhere to be our eyes and ears in the hopes that somebody has seen something. Whether you are in the Five Towns, Queens, Brooklyn or beyond, we ask you to share this information with anyone that you can.
"Yossi needs to be found quickly so he can get the proper medical care from his doctors and resume what had been a wonderful and successful medical school path.
"We ask you to respect the privacy of our family during this difficult time and we continue to have endless thanks to the hundreds of incredible heroes who continue to do everything they can to bring our Yossi home safely.
"Please continue to daven for Yosef Yechiyeh ben Devorah."
Prior to Sunday morning, the local community had been looking for Gerson without pause, and the family offered $20,000 for anyone who knew his whereabouts.